DiNapoli: Need new funding for MTA improvements to prevent fare hikes

By: Adina Genn November 9, 2017Comments Off on DiNapoli: Need new funding for MTA improvements to prevent fare hikes

Without new funding sources for Metropolitan Transportation Authority improvements, New Yorkers may face fare hikes by as much as 4 percent.

That’s according to the analysis of a report released Thursday by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

“Maintaining, modernizing and expanding the largest mass transit agency in the nation is critically important to the future of the New York metropolitan region,” DiNapoli said in a statement.

In the first half of 2017, according to the report, 12,177 LIRR trains were late or canceled – an increase of 57 percent over the same period last year. Problems with Amtrak-owned tracks, signals and switches caused much of those increases.

On-time performance decreased, according to the report. And Amtrak-owned East River tunnel issues triggered many of those delays, where two of four tubes remain unrepaired after Hurricane Sandy-related damage.

Recurring costs for subway improvements could exceed $300 million a year, “the equivalent of an unscheduled fare and toll increase of about 4 percent,” according to the report, which noted that riders already saw an increase in 2017.

And a plan to modernize the subway system is estimated to cost $8 billion, which is already in the 2020-2024 capital program, according to the report.

“In the absence of adequate funding, the system could fall into further disrepair and riders could face unplanned fare hikes,” DiNapoli said.

“The state and city need to find solutions to prevent these possibilities from becoming reality, and the MTA must make the best use of its resources,” he added.

But MTA Chairman Joe Lhota rebuffed talks of fare hikes.

“The MTA needs a steady income stream to continue to maintain a state-of-good repair while at the same time upgrade and expand the system,” he said in a statement.

“We are extremely encouraged by the growing support for congestion pricing and we categorically reject the idea of any unplanned fare increases,” he added. “Funding subway repairs will not come on the backs of riders and the comptroller is fear-mongering by injecting unplanned fare increases into the public discourse.”

Still, much of the current capital program’s funding has not yet been sourced, according to the report. Additionally, though the operating budget is balanced through 2019, deficits are projected beyond that year.